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Item 11A - MemoCity of Southlake Department of Planning MEMORANDUM July 28, 2004 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Ken Baker, AICP, Interim Planning Director SUBJECT: Discussion Item- Revisions to Sign Ordinance 704-B: Progress Report from the Planning and Zoning Commission. REQUESTED ACTION: The purpose of the discussion on the sign ordinance is as follows: 1) update City Council on the work completed by the Planning and Zoning Commission; and 2) review and approve the direction proposed by the Planning and Zoning Commission for a comprehensive revision to the sign ordinance. BACKGROUND: The following summarizes the Planning and Zoning Commission's actions to date. • January 2004-City Council requested that the Planning and Zoning Commission review the sign regulations for the SH-114 corridor. • February & March 2004 -The Planning and Zoning Commission held worksessions on the sign ordinance. Requested that the scope of the sign ordinance review be broadened to include the entire city. May 2004- The Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a sign image preference survey (May 2004). The survey consisted of 156 signs in nine different categories. The survey allowed the Planning Commission an opportunity to rate pictures of various types of signage and supplied valuable input to define what they liked and disliked in regards to sign design and placement See Attachment Al June 2004- Utilizing the results from the image survey, the Planning Commission developed a findings document which summarized development characteristics that they felt were desirable for the community. This document will serve as a framework for the revisions to the sign ordinance (See Attachment B). • Jules- Created an action plan for a comprehensive revision to the sign ordinance. Proposed Action Plan 1) Sign Regulations: Establish specific sign regulations for the various planning areas throughout the city (i.e. SH 114 corridor, FM 1709 corridor, Davis corridor, Continental corridor, Caroll/White Chapel corridor). These planning areas will have distinct boundaries which will contain specific regulations for the provision of signage. Regulations will reflect the main design principles derived from image preference survey conducted by P&Z. Guidelines will likely vary depending on the following factors: function and speed of surrounding roadways servicing the proposed development; • type, scale and character of use (office campus vs. strip retail); and • surrounding environment (context). 2) Incorporate sign regulations into the zoning ordinance. Incorporate sign regulations into the zoning ordinance to allow in some cases review at the site plan and rezoning stage and ensure that an approved sign is: • responsive to the aesthetics and character of its particular location (adjacent buildings and surrounding neighborhoods); • compatible and integrated with the building's architectural design and other signs on the property; • an integral component of style and character of the buildings to which it relates; • appropriate to the type of activity to which it pertains; and • expressive of the community as a whole. 3) Worksessions and Public Hearing. Planning and Zoning Commission conducts worksessions and a public hearing on the proposed ordinance. Following the public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission forwards a recommendation to City Council. 4) City Council. City Council considers revisions to the sign ordinance. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: None LEGAL REVIEW: Proposed ordinance language will be reviewed by the City Attorney's office. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Attachment A -Sign Image Preference Survey Attachment B- Findings of the Sign„ Image Preference Survey